Senior YouTube Channel Manager - London

# Senior YouTube Channel Manager - London Animaj is hiring! Job DescriptionAs a Senior YouTube Channel Manager at Animaj, you are at the core of our digital-first strategy. Your objective is clear: to transform Animaj-owned IPs into global cultural phenomena on the world's leading platform for kids and families.This role requires a unique blend of creative storytelling and rigorous strategic insight. You will shape the YouTube experience for millions of children, using data-driven decision-making and platform expertise to build brands that kids love and parents trust. At Animaj, we don't just manage channels; we build the future of kids' media by merging high-quality animation with cutting-edge AI-native workflows.We offer: The opportunity to work at the intersection of a premium animation studio and an AI-powered, digital-first company. Direct involvement in the growth of world-class IPs (e.g. Maya the Bee) . A high-energy, entrepreneurial environment in London, working as part of a global team of innovators. Responsibilities Strategic Channel Leadership: Own the end-to-end management of a portfolio of YouTube channels, including sophisticated publishing schedules, metadata architecture, and holistic playlist strategy. Performance Optimisation (SEO & Growth): Drive exponential growth by mastering YouTube's discovery systems. You will optimise SEO, CTR (Click-Through Rate), and AVD (Average View Duration) through constant experimentation with metadata and content packaging. Creative Excellence & Design: Lead the visual identity of some of our brands on YouTube. You will design high-converting thumbnails and channel art, ensuring every asset meets Animaj's premium quality standards and brand guidelines. Data-Driven Programming: Conduct deep-dive viewership analysis using YouTube Analytics and third-party tools (e.g., Tubular Labs). You will provide actionable insights to guide programming, marketing, and investment decisions. AI-Enhanced Workflow Integration: Collaborate with our technical teams to pilot and implement AI-native production and localisation tools to scale content efficiency and reach. Cross-Platform Synergy: Ensure brand consistency across the digital ecosystem, maintaining a unified voice for our IPs across YouTube, CTV, and emerging social platforms. Preferred Experience Platform Expertise: 4+ years of experience managing high-growth YouTube channels, specifically within the Kids & Family vertical. Certified Knowledge: YouTube Certified. Deep familiarity with Content ID, CMS management, and COPPA/MFK (Made for Kids) compliance. Design Proficiency: High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro). Experience with After Effects is an advantage. Analytical Mindset: Expert-level ability to interpret complex data sets and translate them into a clear content strategy. Global Perspective: Fluent in English (additional languages are a plus). Experience working in a multinational environment with localised "global-first" content strategies. Future-Focused: A genuine passion for kids' content, emerging technologies, and a desire to redefine the industry through AI and digital-first innovation. Academic Background: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Media, Film, or a related field preferred. Outcomes After 30 days at Animaj Deep Catalogue Audit: Complete a performance diagnostic for the assigned IP, identifying the specific Viewership Engine (New vs. Returning viewers) and providing a data-backed list of structural weaknesses in pacing and packaging. Retention Deep-Dive: Map out Audience Retention heatmaps for the top 20 videos, identify specific drop-off triggers, and present a tactical Editing & Pacing Guide for the production team to improve future assets. Tactical Metadata Audit: Perform a full SEO/Metadata cleanup for the core assigned channels to ensure high discoverability. Performance Reporting: Establish a weekly Programming Health Report that identifies immediate "quick wins" (e.g., updating thumbnails on high-impression/low-CTR videos) to boost traffic. After 90 days at Animaj Growth Optimisation: Implement at least two major tactical changes (e.g., new thumbnail style, altered intro hook, or playlist restructuring) that result in a measurable uptick in channel growth. Shorts-to-Longform Funnel: Launch an active YouTube Shorts strategy designed to act as a discovery tool, with a clear workflow for converting Shorts-only viewers into long-form Watch Time contributors. Global Synchronisation: Manage the publishing calendar to ensure localised content is perfectly synced with regional cultural moments and holidays to maximise localised suggested traffic. AVD Benchmarking: Successfully execute a 3-month programming calendar with a target increase of 10-15% in Average View Duration (AVD) across the managed IP. Workflow Efficiency: Successfully integrate at least one AI-native tool (e.g., AI translation or generative metadata) into the daily channel management workflow to increase output speed. After 180 days at Animaj Platform Beta Participation: Actively manage the implementation of YouTube's newest features (e.g., Multi-Language Audio, A/B Thumbnail Testing) to gain a first-mover advantage over competitors. Seasonal Programming Calendar: Own and execute a comprehensive 12-month programming roadmap that accounts for key cultural moments (Halloween, Christmas, Back-to-School) and major sporting events (e.g., World Cup/Olympics). New IP Transition: Lead the technical channel launch and early-stage growth strategy for new co-created or incubated IPs (e.g., the Disney partnership projects), ensuring a hit trajectory from Day 1. Watchtime Growth: Achieve a 10%+ increase in average monthly watchtime for the portfolio of managed channels compared to the same period the previous year. Format Innovation: Scale at least one new content format (e.g., a specific compilation style or Shorts series) that consistently reaches high-performing view thresholds within its first 30 days. Contract Type: Full-Time Location: London Experience: > 4 years Possible partial remote